CdTe/CdS core-shell nanowire structures on glass substrates for photovoltaic applications — Growth and characterization

We report the successful growth of CdTe/CdS core-shell structures on a glass substrate using a metamorphic growth approach. The CdTe wires were grown by close space sublimation using the vapor-liquid-solid technique. The CdS shell was grown by chemical bath deposition. Detailed characterization has been undertaken using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy. This has confirmed the successful growth of these structures. The luminescence properties of core-shell structures show features more commonly observed in single crystals rather than polycrystalline material. These structures show considerable promise for photovoltaic device applications.